A FRAUDSTER has been jailed for 10 months after it was revealed he stole thousands of pounds of charitable donations from a skittles club.

Paul Brewster, of Pill, was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court yesterday, December 6, for stealing £7,500 which he spent in supermarkets, shops, pubs and cafes.

Mr Brewster was treasurer at Yatton and District Summer Skittles League but members thought the accounts suspect when it transpired no charitable cheques had been sent. 

The court heard how the 65-year-old left just £0.46p in the club's bank account in 2019 where also due to Covid, debts were forced unpaid and the club was left financially crippled into the following two years.  

He later admitted to spending the money and offered to pay the club back. 

The club holds regular fundraising games in the summer months for local good causes. 

Some of the local good causes due to receive donations included Great Western Air Ambulance, Cancer Research UK and Diabetes UK who all were unable to collect more than £1,000 as promised. 

Mr Brewster told police he was struggling financially and planned to repay the cash in future.